Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop 25 Christmas Songs of the Last 25 Years: #12 - Super Furry Animals, “The Gift That Keeps Giving”

It's the holiday season, which means Christmas music. Lots and lots or Christmas music, most of which was written before the people listening to it were even alive. While "Jingle Bells" and "We Three Kings" are great, and resilient, we're devoting this year to finding the best Christmas song written since 1989. We continue today with #12, and the Super Furry Animals guide to gifting on the cheap.
 

#12: Super Furry Animals, "The Gift That Keeps Giving" (2007)

We haven't talked much about gifts on this countdown, but giving and receiving is an unavoidable part of the holiday season. Even if you don't bash skulls like a Mad Max nomad on Black Friday, showing at least some form of material/monetary affection for your loved ones sometimes seems like the only thing keeping this whole place from going full Thunderdome.

Despite the societal pressure (and sardonically adorable video above), I don't get the sense that Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys is crooning about any material goods on "The Gift That Keeps Giving." Rather, I think he's found a way to make the whole idea of spreading peace, love, understanding, et. al. just as sexy as a stocking crammed full of $100 bills. Most importantly, he's done it in a way that doesn't hammer the message over your head with a giant, peppermint-flavored mallet. Whether the gift he's talking about is another person, an excellent song, or just a memory of a really great time in his life, he probably won't be needing the receipt.